If the Yankees make a one-year qualifying offer to Hiroki Kuroda, he just might accept it. (Hardball Talk)

Good thing Bruce Bochy wasn't this unprepared during the postseason. (NBC's Off The Bench)

The statheads are at odds with the managerscoaches who vote for the Gold Gloves over who's the best defensive shortstop in the American League. Yes, yes, I know it's an annual brouhaha, but this time -- believe it or not -- Derek Jeter's not involved. (CSN Baltimore)

Even the folks in Baltimore realize the Orioles' string of good fortune in one-runextra-inning games, the main reason for their stunning rise this season, isn't likely to repeat itself in 2013. (CSN Baltimore)

More importantly around here, the Patriots now are in position to win out and claim the AFC’s No. 1 seed.

Prior to the Raiders loss, Oakland would have been the top seed if both they and the Patriots won out. Now, the 10-2 Patriots have a leg up on the rest of the conference. The Raiders’ road stays tough. They are at San Diego and Denver and host the Colts.

The Chiefs have a more favorable close to the season with home games against Tennessee and Denver before their season finale at San Diego.

The Patriots’ road over the final four is no picnic though, beginning with the Ravens and at Denver before the last two hosting the Jets and traveling to Miami.